By Tim Heiduk
February 29, 2020
 
(FULLERTON, Calif.) Two days after clinching the outright Golden State Athletic Conference regular season title, the #6 Westmont men's basketball team (26-4, 15-3 GSAC) lost its regular season finale, 96-87, at Hope International (20-10, 9-9).
 
The Warriors were down two starters because of injury and began the game with three freshmen on the court, the youngest lineup the team has started a game with this season. Westmont only used three subs, one of whom, Tristan Lloyd, was limited to just nine minutes after going down with an injury of his own.
 
"I thought we really battled," Westmont head coach John Moore said. "We left everything out on the floor. It was hard being a couple men down, with Tristan going down, but particularly Hunter Sipe who is the anchor of our defense."
 
Moore highlighted the play of Solomon Davis, who recorded his first collegiate start, and Gyse Hulsebosch in the defeat.
 
"Solomon Davis gave us some really good minutes and so did Gyse Hulsebosch," Moore said. "I thought Gyse and Solomon played about as well as they could. Once Solomon got his sea legs out from under him, he had a really nice second half and played with great confidence. He did some outstanding things.
 
"Gyse shot seven from eight from the 3-point line and shot with outstanding confidence."
 
Hulsebsoch recorded a season-high 23 points while Davis added a career-high 15 points. Abram Carrasco (19 points) and Jared Brown (14 points) also scored in double figures.
 
Hope International, now winners of five straight, shot 58.6% from the field and 55.6% from behind the arc in the first half to take a 45-33 lead going into halftime. Those 45 points are the most the Warriors have conceded in a first half in GSAC play since Westmont's conference opener at OUAZ (Ariz.).
 
Moore credited the Royals' defense for forcing 10 Warrior turnovers in the first half.
 
"The first half for us, we turned the ball over a little too much," Moore said. "They are a very good defensive team. They get a lot of credit for that."
 
Hope International continued its hot shooting to start the second half to take their largest lead of the game, 61-40, with 14:35 remaining. Westmont then went on a 16-2 run to get within seven, 63-56, at the halfway point of the second period.
 
Two Carrasco free throws got the Warriors one point closer, 67-61, with 8:15 left. "When we cut it to six, I thought we might come back and steal one," Moore said.
 
That was as close as Westmont got though, as Hope International quickly restored its double-digit lead before going on to win by nine points.
 
The Royals lost six straight between Jan. 16 and Feb. 1, but have rebounded to win six of their past seven to clinch the final spot in the GSAC Tournament, with their only loss being a one-point defeat to then 12th-ranked The Master's.
 
Hope International shot 58.9% for the game, compared to Westmont's 44.6. The Royals outshot the Warriors from behind the arc as well, 41.2% to 37.1%.
 
Despite the loss, Westmont will still host the GSAC Tournament this week, Thursday through Saturday, as the GSAC regular season champion.
 
"We're looking forward to what we have next, hosting the tournament," Moore said. "Our guys are ready for that and they will be resilient."
 
The tournament begins on Thursday evening, with First Round games scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
 
In the opening round, fourth seeded and #19 Arizona Christian will take on fifth seeded William Jessup, with the winner advancing to play top-seeded Westmont on Friday at 7:45 p.m.
 
The other First Round matchup features third seeded The Master's, ranked 20th in the NAIA, going up against sixth-seeded Hope International for the right to play against second-seeded and #16 Menlo in Friday's other semifinal.
 
The winners of Friday's semifinal matchups will play each other in the GSAC Championship Game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.